Get a tuner and a metronome. Learn the basics on an acoustic. Stay in tune and in time. Practice slow. Learn how to read music and avoid tablature.

I've been playing for a long time and after realizing I can play a bunch of cool sounding complex stuff, yet I can't play any basic stuff (I suck at simple rhythm stuff and laughable beginner tunes),I am about to start over from scratch.

I'm getting out my Mel Bay beginner book this weekend and will actually open it up this time- only 25 years after I should have in the first place.

BTW, the new issue of Guitar Player (it has Les Paul on the cover- December issue) has a great 2 page article on how to learn how to play the guitar. Pg 88-89. Awesome advice on how to learn from Les Paul.

Just go to a newsstand and read those two pages. I wish Les Paul taught me how to play the guitar.

Once you build up the strength in your fingers, the guitar is a lot of fun. If you want to play mostly rock, or heavy stuff, learn your power chords (5ths, 4ths, octaves). Practice slow even tempos before you speed up. If you want to solo, learn about minor scales, and modes. There's a book called "Power Tools For Guitar" that I would recommend.

I started on the acoustic and think that is the way to go when you start. If you can tough it out on an acoustic and learn some basic chords and maybe even sight reading some basic songs (Old Mac Donald and stuff). Then reward yourself with an electric.

To just start off with an electric isn't really a great way to go. It might be, but to really "discover" and enjoy the instrument, get a decent acoustic guitar for like $100. Tough it out for a year and the reward yourself with something better if you make it that far.

Have fun, I'm going through the same learning curve now with the piano. I suck and have been playing seriously for about a year. Man it is hard, but I love seeing the improvement over the weeks. Makes the hard work worth it for the most part.

I think that the only reason you should start with electric is if you absolutely have no interest in playing acoustic at all. The whole point of a hobby is to enjoy yourself. If it just feels like a chore all the time, you aren't going to stick with it. But, yeah, acoustic first is sort of the default order, for good reason.

Honestly, you'll probably own both within a few months anyway. I think I had 1 acoustic and 2 electrics after only about 6 months of playing.

FWIW, I didn't start playing until I was 30, so I was sort of in the same boat as you. My manager didn't start until he was 40, two years ago, and he can already play the full Ratt and Def Leppard discography. lol Age doesn't matter, dude. Yeah, some people your age might have 20 yeare more experience, but who cares? In a few years, you'll be able to play all kinds of shit and you'll be having a lot of fun doing it.

Still having loads of fun with it. I don't seem to have alot of focus though, I can play like 50% of alot of songs, but the only song I can play all the way through is Chemical Wedding, by Bruce Dickinson. Except the solo. I know it, but I'm wayyyy too slow.

I mean, I can play stuff like brown eyed girl and take it easy, but only the major open chord stuff.

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